And your 2012 ACC Champs are...

The ACC championship game was a showcase of big plays, both skillful and crazy. Tech would win the toss and elect to defer. NC State would open up the game by throwing a pick just three plays in. With the short field, the Hokies would move the ball seemingly at will against the Pack, running a spread offense NC State hadn't seen from anyone all season. The short drive was capped off with a 3 yard TD run by HB Michael Holmes. On the following possession, QB Mike Glennon would throw his second pick of the game, and Coach Parrothead let him have it on the sideline. The Hokies again would start with a short field. The first crazy play came on this drive, as Tech ran an option to the left side. It looked to be a stroll into the end zone, but somehow the defenders cut the HB off at the pass. As the back dove for the end zone, the ball somehow came loose and was scooped up by a State defender and downed for a touchback (video is saved on the dynasty wire. I'd move it, but just don't have the time with a flight leaving in 7 hours and needing some sleep). Two plays later, Glennon made up for a pick by finding WR Bryan Underwood streaking down the middle of the field for an 87 yard TD strike to tie it up at 7 (video on the wire). The first quarter would end with the 7-7 tie.
After holding the Hokies to a punt, the Pack put together a decent drive of their own with nice runs and short passes. WR Tobias Palmer would have 2 TDs on 2 catches in this game, and the first would come here on an 18 yard pass from Glennon. Tech would answer with a nice drive filled with passes the Wolfpack couldn't defend. This drive would end with FB Joey Phillips running it in from the 1 to tie it at 14. Mike Glennon's day would get a bit worse on the next drive as he was sacked and injured on the same play. Backup QB Tyler Brosius came in and hit WR Palmer, who made a nice cut and took it in for a 50 yard score (on the wire). This left 57 seconds on the clock and the Pack were feeling good about going into the break with a 7 point lead. From out of nowhere, someone yelled "Not so fast, my friend!" It was probably WR Dyrell Roberts for VT, as he took the kickoff 104 yards to tie it up (on the wire). Going into the break, it was 21 all.

The third quarter saw an exchange of punts, and only a 44 yard FG by NCSU. At the end of three, it was 24-21 Wolfpack, as NC State was driving.

39 seconds into the 4th quarter, NC State would take a 10 point lead as Glennon found WR Quinton Payne for a 6 yard strike. Tech would answer back with a drive of their own that ended with a 4 yard scamper by QB Logan Thomas as the defenders had all the receivers covered. With a 3 point lead, NCSU had to do something. They didn't, and ended up punting. On VT's next possession, NC State would get the ball back on an INT by CB David Amerson. With the short field, NC state ran some clock and Heisman candidate James Washington bowled a defensive back over on his way to a 7 yard score to put the Pack back up 10 (on the wire). Tech's next possession ended with 4 incomplete passes, sealing the win and conference title for the Pack.

Next up for NCSU? That depends on Utah and Toledo. Both teams are ranked ahead of NC State in the BCS. Looks like someone might have to adjust their coach's poll for the final vote...